Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Opal Hexen. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Opal , first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
I don’t think theres ever going to be a time where I don’t feel it honestly, I think I have learned more to just make art that I enjoy making and not worry if its going to be everybody’s cup of tea. I am glad and honored to have found some small success with creating what I enjoy, but I still get surprised when I am invited to do things or get opportunities I was hoping for.
I have been teaching workshops and classes on printmaking now for over a year and I am starting to see some former students of mine build their own printshop and career and that makes me feel really good too. Being able to see someone else carry though with something I helped teach them to do is really rewarding and helps with the imposter syndrome.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am an artist and printmaker for the weird and wild. I run a small printshop in Troy NY and I vend at local markets. I really enjoy the process of taking drawings and turning them into physical carvings that I can use as patterns. I have been working with a collective called Outfitting Every Body in upstate NY, and I do a lot of upcycling of secondhand clothes that I get from them. I am a big believer in reusing as much as possible in the textile industry, and I use thrifted fabric, yarn and notions for all my patches and alterations I do as well. There is something extremely satisfying about making new things out of old things, and I get to share my block prints in a way that feels good to me. I have found a lot of kindred spirits in upstate NY that share the conservation and upcycling joy and creativity, and that brings me a lot of joy.
One of the regular markets I do are called The Big Gay Markets, and I have found a really wonderful community and a lot of joy being a part of it. We usually have a fundraiser going on for different LGBTQIA+ nonprofits, and it is a welcoming community that has helped ground me in my values and beliefs. In addition to The Big Gay Markets, I can be found at the Troy Farmers Market, and the Upstate Punk Rock Flea Market regularly.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I have spent most of my life studying different types of art, craft and trades, and I think apprenticeships I have had, the work with collectives that I do, and the support I had from teachers and professors made the most impact on me. I haven’t ever really had a plan in mind, I have a tendency to find something new and follow it for a while until I find my niche in it. I have an associates and a bachelors degree in fine art and design, and I spent years after that apprenticed and learning gold smithing and lapidary work. Throughout this I have had the support of different collectives that I rely on, and mutually support.
If I could give artists just starting out any advice, it would be to find and create a collective that you can mutually rely upon each other to get you though your journey.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I am usually looking for new people to collaborate with, people who share similar abolitionist and collective beliefs and still believe a better world is possible. You can connect with my though my social media (I do read messages) and though my website www.opalhexen.com (I read those too).
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.opalhexen.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opal_hexen
- Other: Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/opalhexen.bsky.social
Image Credits
no other info
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